Vital Chemistry

Vital Chemistry'Oh My Glob' Vital Chemistry is an online science fair project with high-level abstracts on human sciences. It includes work on earth sciences, medical science, geology, astronomy, paleontology, chemistry, as well as various physical sciences. Students work in teams and must complete assignments in their selected areas.Vital Chemistry seeks students with exceptional and creative minds, motivated and enthusiastic to learn and interested in having interesting, challenging, and learning experiences. The activities for Vital Chemistry are designed to encourage the students in general to come up with some original ideas that they could use to serve their future. This project, together with other activities, will help your child to find his/her own future, different from the others.For Vital Chemistry, students will have to choose a topic on which they will write an essay or report. They should write about four different areas. The four areas are physical sciences, biologica l sciences, physical geology, and social sciences. The student will have to check whether the chosen area has already been covered or not.Vital Chemistry and the other activities that you are taking part in, are all interactive. If your child wants to take part in a computer game, he/she can, as long as it does not affect the course of the project. Participating in the science fair will be enough, but if they want to earn the best results, a good and fun science project is the best answer. For the kids who have never taken part in a science fair, this can be an excellent opportunity for them to know how to do this kind of projects and for them to understand how a science fair works.Vital Chemistry is one of the few science fairs that are based on the idea of providing students with their choices of themes for their paper. The activities that you have to complete will be themed based on your choices of themes. There will be deadlines for each theme. In addition, there will be events and posters for the theme.The first task of Vital Chemistry will be to prepare a profile. It is important that the student should remember his/her key attributes so that he/she can participate in the activities and do well.For Vital Chemistry, your child will have to complete one or more activities that will depend on the theme of the competition. These activities may include list making, problem solving, writing reports, writing presentations, presenting, and so on.

Your Personal Brand The Little Things Matter - Introvert Whisperer

Introvert Whisperer / Your Personal Brand The Little Things Matter - Introvert Whisperer Your Personal Brand: The Little Things Matter Your personal brand is the value and experience others have of you based on your consistent behavior.   That personal brand can be a favorable one or negative one, depending on what your behavior is.   Your personal brand shapes your success both professionally as well as personally so it’s important to give it some thought. Your behavior includes even small things like whether or not you’re timely in returning texts, voicemails, and emails.   It can include whether or not you are usually late showing up to things and if you seem to perpetually have a whirling caldron of chaos surrounding you.   It’s not just about how well you execute things at a technical level or your sweet personality. Your ability to adequately manage life’s daily “administrivia” is one of those things that if you do well, are kind of a neutral background thing.   No one notices it and your other assets shine through.   That’s how you want to be experienced.   However, when you habitually fail in those personal management tasks, it will overshadow all of the positive assets you possess. It’s the little things that eat away at any trust people may have placed in you because you’ve demonstrated you can’t handle the little things; you probably can’t handle the big ones.   Even if you have an amazing personality and do things that people love, those same people will eventually give up on you if you are flaky.   It’s just not worth making the effort. Can you imagine not being worth other people’s effort to maintain a relationship or to support?   Harsh but it happens every day. So, if you know or suspect that you might have some of those behaviors, you have to change that today.   You won’t get traction anywhere in life or at work if you don’t. The little things matter. Go to top Personal Branding starts with how well you speak about YOU.  I want to help you accelerate your career by connecting you with your Free Instant Access to my eBook â€" The Definitive Guide to Creating and Using an Elevator Speech.  In this guide, I give you simple to follow instructions for creating a “wardrobe” of ways to talk about you â€" to leave a lasting impression. Get your copy now! Brought to you by Dorothy Tannahill-Moran â€" dedicated to unleashing your professional potential. Introvert Whisperer

English Literature to Encourage Reading

English Literature to Encourage Reading Classic English Literature is a Great Method of Teaching Reading ChaptersWhat Is 'Classic' English Literature?Some Classic Novels At A GlanceClassic Books of The FutureIf you are an English Literature graduate, or if you have attended higher education in the UK for that matter, the chances are that you will have come across a reasonably broad range of so-called  literary classics. Moreover, if you are an avid reader, you might have discovered even more significant works by a range of international authors that have helped shape the different genres of literature over the years.The Oxford Royale Academy has compiled a list of essential English novels that they say everybody should read in their lifetime. The list includes, but is not limited to, the following:'Wuthering Heights' by Emily Bronte'Middlemarch' by George Elliott'Nineteen Eighty-Four' by George Orwell'The Lord of the Rings' by J. R. R. Tolkien'His Dark Materials' trilogy by Philip Pullman'Jane Eyre' by Charlotte Bronte'Great Expectations' by Charles Dickens'Far from the Madding Crowd' b y Thomas HardyAll of Jane Austen’s novelsWhile the list covers a good range of novels, many of which are indeed recognised as classics by the various English exam boards (including AQA, OCR and Edexcel), who decides which works are labelled classics of the world? Who is qualified enough within the field to have earned the authority to distinguish a classic from a basic piece of prose? Are lists ever reviewed as society moves forward  and the majority's opinions adapt to the times? This is something that will be explored below.In the meantime, I would like to draw your attention to the fact that all of the above featured writers were born in either the 19th century or in the very early 1900s, with the exception of Philip Pullman. Pullman, in fact, is the only 'current' author from the above list, and thus is the only individual who could possibly have drawn anything from modern society during his ongoing writing career.‘His Dark Materials’, is one of just a couple of collection s of works from the list that focuses on relatively modern fantasy elements like witches and mystical creatures, in addition to its scientific and philosophical themes.The other is J. R. R. Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ series, with ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ being published in 1954. Looking back, this masterpiece was clearly ahead of its time and marks one of the first times that an author successfully experimented with fantasy fiction, at a time when this was purely imagination-driven.This trilogy was English tutor.The nature of New Zealand has been used to depict fantasy novels 'Lord of the Rings' and 'Game of Thrones'. Photo via VisualHunt.comWith hi-tech gadgets readily available and television programmes being digitally enhanced, sci-fi and fantasy themes seem less far-fetched than in previous decades. Perhaps readers' imaginations are so advanced in this modern technological era that they feel that they can relate to these types of stories, hence their continually growing popularity?Discover how poetry has helped shape the literary landscape!learn how to read faster!F. Scott Fitzgerald's 'The Great Gatsby' gives us a great insight into the atmosphere of the roaring '20s. Photo credit: istolethetv via VisualHuntShakespeare's PlaysFocusing on yet another list compiled by literature enthusiasts, the website Interesting Literature suggests ten plays of Shakespeare that you must read. Top of the list is, by no surprise, the tragic ‘Romeo and Juliet', with its famous balcony scene that captured the hearts of readers from one century to the next.Next, is 'Macbeth', a slightly more sombre play with its themes covering monarchy, conspiracy and deceit. Then, the site suggests ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream' to finish bottom of the podium of Shakespeare greats.The remaining seven texts are 'King Lear', 'Hamlet', 'The Tempest', 'Richard III', 'Othello', 'Henry VIII' and, finally, 'Twelfth Night'. Most, if not all, of these texts are classed as classic tragedies or comedies and appear in secondary school syllabi as well as further education courses where literature is a prime focus.If reading ten plays seems like a bit too much of a challenge, I would encourage you to pick up an anthology of William Shakespeare’s plays and to read even just one of them. Seen as one of the greatest writers of all time, his interesting characters and his timeless themes are why his literary works are still so popular.You could introduce your child to Shakespeare through abridged texts!Jane Austen’s NovelsJane Austen has become world-famous thanks to her six published novels, which have spoken to readers across the globe for more than two centuries. Although they were set during her time, Austen’s characters still display traits that are visible in modern society while highlighting values and circumstances that are eternally in existence.Of the six novels, ‘Northanger Abbey’ is the one that stands out from the rest due to its gothic theme, yet Austen still hangs on to the crucial elements that make her writing so influential: her characters and their sentiments.Her two most famous novels, however, must be ‘Pride and Prejudice’ and ‘Sense and Sensibility’, both of which have been adapted for TV many times with a great response from members of the public of all ages. The stories, meanwhile, vividly capture individuals in situations of social and romantic conflict and develop strong relationships between friends and lovers.Did you want to know how Jane Austin texts have been used in classrooms at college and university level?Jane Austen's six novels are ever-popular in today's society. Photo credit: Ben Sutherland via Visualhunt.comClassic Books of The FutureHaving considered some of the recognised literary greats, it begs the question of whether any popular works of our time will eventually enter the esteemed list, or indeed if any of them are already displaying signs of literary grandeur.Books that stand out a s having become inarguably popular amongst people of all ages and of all backgrounds during the 21st century are the 'Twilight' series, written by Stephanie Meyer, the collection of Harry Potter stories by J. K. Rowling and the somewhat controversial erotic 'Fifty Shades of Grey' trilogy by E. L. James.Check for an English tutor London here.Perhaps the question we should be asking ourselves is which novels are classic of their time, as opposed to which texts are examples of classic literature, seeing as what was typical in literature historically may not be as popular today or as we head into the future.Isn't it time you realised the advantages of daily reading?

Using PHP

Using PHP How Do You Use the PHP Programming Language? ChaptersWhat Is PHP?How Do You Display an Image in PHP?How to Open a PHP File in Your BrowserWhich Version of PHP Should You Use for WordPress?“PHP is a minor evil perpetrated and created by incompetent amateurs, whereas Perl is a great and insidious evil perpetrated by skilled but perverted professionals.” - Jon RibbensThere’s a passionate community of people who code in PHP. Millions of people use this programming language to create web sites or other web pages. Programming has never been so accessible.Like some other programming languages (HTML, CSS, Java, MySQL, etc.), PHP can be used in the creation of web sites.Managing databases, graphic interfaces, web servers, IT systems, you don’t need to be an IT engineer to start learning how to code with PHP.In this article, we'll look what PHP is, how you can use it to display images, how to open a PHP file in your web browser, and which version you should use with WordPress, the world's most popular content management system.he ader (“Content-type: image/jpeg”);$image = imagecreatefromjpeg(“myphoto.jpg”);imagejpg($image);?If you don’t want to display the image directly on the website, but keep it as it is in a file, the last line needs to be replaced by the filename of the photo plus the destination.imagejpg($image); (“myphotos/myphoto.jpg”);Your photo is ready!How to Open a PHP File in Your BrowserBefore you can start getting the most out of your dynamic website, there are a few steps you’ll need to follow. To put the code together, you’ll need to download a PHP engine for your site. You’ll need to download the engine onto your computer, install it, then install an editor specific to the programming language. You can use programmes like Notepad++, Dreamweaver, etc.In a word processor, you can write lines to make dynamic web pages.Once your sheet of code is ready, you’ll need to test your PHP file online. This step allows you to check for errors and see if elements are displaying as y ou intended.To read a PHP file online, there are a few options.  The best solution is to rent a server and put your code on it. A server is a computer that allows other users to access it on the internet via an IP address.Renting a server is very easy. There are many sites where you can rent a server with a monthly subscription.Servers allow you to store things online. (Source: heladodementa)Once you’re renting a server, you just need to download your PHP file to it, then type the appropriate address into your browser.The second option doesn’t include renting a server. If you’re not ready to publish your page, you can download the programme XAMPP. This allows you to imitate a server with a “localhost” address.Once the programme’s installed, you just have to integrate the PHP files into the app and the put address into your browser.Which Version of PHP Should You Use for WordPress?WordPress is a CMS (Content Management System) which allows a lot of people to create a webs ite without knowing about web programming. Be it a blog, website, portfolio, etc, there are plenty of themes allowing to personalise your content. Of course, these options aren’t always enough for users so you can modify the base code as well.PHP is used to code WordPress websites. (Source: pixelcreatures)WordPress uses the PHP language. You can introduce lines of PHP code into the site and add plugins.So which version of PHP should you use?There are plenty of versions of PHP and they continue to evolve. The latest version of PHP is 7 and improvements are regularly being made.It’s strongly recommended by WordPress that you use the latest version for both its functionality and security. To change your version, the SG Optimizer plugin can help.To do this, you need to update the theme and plugins in your site so that they’re compatible with the latest version of PHP to avoid bugs and errors.Updating to the latest version of PHP once a year is a good way to ensure that your websit e works well. Think about it!If you want to learn more about programming in PHP, consider getting in touch with a private tutor. There are three types of tutorials offered on Superprof: face-to-face tutorials, online tutorials, and group tutorials.Face-to-face tutorials are your traditional private tutorials with one student and one tutor. These are usually the most costly but they're also the most cost-effective as the tutor can spend the whole time focusing on their only student.Online tutorials are similar to face-to-face tutorials but the tutor delivers the class over webcam using video conferencing software like Skype. This tends to be cheaper since they don't have to travel.Group tutorials are cheaper per student since the cost is shared but you won't get as much individual attention from your tutor as they'll have other students to pay attention to during the tutorials.Don't forget that a lot of the tutors on Superprof offer the first hour of tutoring for free so you can see if they're right for you.

20 Insider Tips For Traveling to France [Infographic]

20 Insider Tips For Traveling to France [Infographic] 20 Game-Changing Tips for Traveling to France Jessica Dais From the smell of freshly baked baguettes from the local bakery, to views of the romantic châteaux (castles) in the Loire Valley, to the diverse array of masterpieces displayed in the museums of Paris France has so much to offer! If you’re taking a trip to this beautiful country soon, keep reading to learn how to plan the perfect itinerary so you can enjoy France at its best. We’ll share about the weather, what to order when dining out, a few little known sites, and many more helpful tips for traveling to France! 20 Game-Changing Tips for Traveling to France 1. Keep French Fashion in Mind Pack clothes that are versatile and chic, keeping in mind that the French are simple and effortless when it comes to their style. The saying “less is more” works well for the French.     One of your goals should be to blend in with the locals not stand out as a tourist. For the ladies, bring a scarf! In the summertime, light scarves can add a touch of class, or be used as an extra layer at nighttime without the bulk of a jacket. 2. Pack Comfy Shoes Bring a pair, or two, of comfortable shoes to France. When traveling, you should always expect to be walking quite a bit, whether it’s through the cobbled streets of Le Vieux Carré (the Old Quarter) or through the vineyards in the South. So leave the stiletto heels at home and opt for a pair of comfortable sandals or sturdy boots. Your feet will thank you later! 3.  Learn the Language Locals love when visitors attempt to speak the native language. Even if your French is a little rusty and you can only muster up a polite “Je voudrais un café, s’il vous plait” (“I would like a coffee please”), the French will greatly appreciate the effort. The best way to learn French before your trip is with the help of an experienced tutor. If you’re interested in building up your vocabulary quickly, consider taking private lessons or online French classes. You can also watch French tutorials on YouTube, such as the one below.   4. Check the Weather Regions along the three coasts of France have a more temperate climate, unlike areas in central France, where you’ll experience more variation between seasons. Paris can also become fairly hot in the summer, so be prepared by packing light-colored clothing made of loose material. The summer months in the south along the Mediterranean have very little rainfall, but the rest of the country experiences rainy months throughout the year. Paris has quite a bit of rainfall from April through August. Whatever the season, its always a good idea to check the forecast prior to your visit to France! 5. Travel in Spring or Fall If you’re on a budget, the most cost-effective times to travel to France are during the spring and fall months. Keep in mind that if plane tickets are purchased at least three months in advance, you will be able to find some better deals! 6. Try a Bed Breakfast Relax in the many charming bed and breakfasts that France has to offer! While there are many options for lodging available to visitors, the more intimate bed and breakfasts in France are superb. Many of them offer home-cooked meals of the region, and the locals’ take on must-see sites. 7. Eat Like a Local The French are known for, and proud, of their cuisine. Wherever you are in the country, be sure to try the local delicacies. If you’re traveling to Bordeaux, try the cannelé a small pastry made of vanilla and rum. Take in the view of the Mediterranean while dining on a traditional seafood dish of the region. You won’t regret trying the bouillabaisse (seafood stew) in Marseille, or the delicious quenelle in Lyon! SEE ALSO: 50 Useful French Phrases for Travelers 8. Enjoy an Apéritif or Digestif In France, sometimes the best drinks come just before or after a delicious meal. An apéritif (pre-meal drink) is usually enjoyed among friends before a plat de fromage (cheese plate) is served. One common apéritif is the kir, which is a mix of white wine and blackcurrant. A common digestif (post-meal drink) is an espresso. Or you can try the “eau de vie,” literally translated “water of life,” which is a popular fruit brandy. 9. Check the Prix Fixe Menu When youre unsure about what to order, the prix fixe (fixed price) menu will be your best friend. Selected by the chef, it includes several dishes from the entrée (appetizer) to the plat principal (main dish) to the dessert.   10. Shop at Outdoor Markets   One way to save money without sacrificing the French experience is to shop at the outdoor markets. Most towns have an outdoor market or “marché en plein air.” Here, you can find vendors selling the region’s best at a more affordable price. Just be sure to check the local schedule, as some markets are only open on specific days of the week. 11. Enjoy Local Wines As with the food in France, it’s usually best to go with the regional wine. While there are many options for wine, opting for the local wine is the best choice if you want to fully experience and appreciate the specialties of the area. 12. Travel by Train Another way to save money on travel expenses while visiting France is to take the train. For the best deals, book three months in advance if you already have an itinerary set. If you’re under 25 and visiting France for a study abroad program or internship, signing up for a “Carte Jeune” offers reduced train fares! 13. Follow the Tour de France Are you a fan of cycling? If not, would you like to follow a route that takes you through some of the most beautiful parts of France? Follow the cyclists at the Tour de France! This annual event takes place in July with a route through several notable cities and sites. 14. Celebrate La Fête Nationale Also known as Bastille Day, the French independence day is well-celebrated in this country. If you’ll be in France on July 14th, you’ll get to witness fireworks shows and join in on the festivities. In Paris, go to a ball after the fireworks at the Eiffel Tower! The music and dancing begins around 9 PM. SEE ALSO: What to Pack for France [Infographic] 15. Check out the Museums The Louvre is one of the most popular museums in France, but there are so many other inspiring sites to add to your travel list! In Paris alone, there is the lesser-known Musée d’Orsay that boasts of numerous Impressionist paintings by Monet, and the Centre Pompidou that features contemporary and more interactive art. Both have slightly shorter admission lines! 16. Visit Luberon Don’t forget to bring your camera to the picturesque lavender fields in France. The lavender that blooms in the South of France is a scent that is truly unforgettable. In Luberon these fragrant flowers bloom anytime between late June to early August, with the peak of the season being in early July. 17. Learn About History in Normandy If you’re interested in historical events, head north for Normandy. Along the coast you’ll find the infamous Normandy and Omaha beaches where you can see remnants of WWII bunkers and memorials to those who fought during the war. 18. Stop by the Castles France is home to many beautiful and unique châteaux (castles) in the center of the country. Relive the grandeur of the châteaux in the Loire Valley. Villandry is famous for its gardens that are exact replicas of the medieval gardens, while Chambord includes a grand central staircase in the main entrance. This area of the country is less crowded than Paris or the beaches in the South, so it would make an excellent addition to your itinerary if you want to get away from the hustle and bustle. 19. Make Your Way to ÃŽle de Ré At the mention of French beaches, most people think about the beaches along the Mediterranean Coast. Bask in the sunshine on ÃŽle de Ré instead. Located just off the western coast of France, ÃŽle de Ré is a unique and lesser-known beach that is connected to the mainland by a bridge. 20. Enjoy the Moment While planning a trip to France often includes many preparations, it’s important to remember to savor the moment and not get too caught up in your itinerary. Enjoy the food, enjoy the wine, and enjoy the sites. But most importantly enjoy the journey from one destination to another! Check out the infographic below for a visual reminder of each of these insider tips! Share this Image On Your Site Please include attribution to TakeLessons.com with this graphic. a href=https://takelessons.com/blog/tips-for-traveling-to-france-z04img src=https://takelessons.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/20-Insider-Tips-for-Traveling-to-France.png alt=Tips for Traveling to France/a Keep these tips for traveling to France in mind and you’ll be able to plan the perfect vacation! Enjoying all the food, drinks, and sites that France has to offer will make your visit one that you’ll always remember. Don’t forget to check out TakeLessons Live before you depart to brush up on your French language skills! Post Author:  Jinky B. Jinky B. teaches  French and ESL  in Jacksonville, Florida. She has her  Bachelors in French, French Literature, and Psychology from Florida State University and over five years of teaching experience.  Learn more about Jinky B.  here!

Huntington Learning Center Offers Tips to Beat Summertime Regression

Huntington Learning Center Offers Tips to Beat Summertime Regression Summer vacation is a welcome reprieve from the busy days of the school year, but for many parents, it can bring up concerns about their children losing skills and falling behind. Luckily, there are a number of things parents can do to help students retain knowledge while theyre not in school. Summer learning activities do not have to be rigorous or mimic classroom learning to be effective, says Eileen Huntington, Co-Founder of the Huntington Learning Center. With a little planning and creativity, parents can offer their children a variety of fun learning experiences that will help them stay fresh. Huntington offers these ideas to avoid summertime learning loss: Review last year. Review assignments your child worked on throughout the school year and make a nightly, 15-minute homework session a part of your summer routine. Activities such as flash cards, times tables and spelling word practice are great to do each night to retain concepts and skills from the previous year. Read, read, read. This summer, help your child learn to love reading for fun. Go to the library every week and let your child pick out books, magazines or other reading materials. As a family, set aside 30 minutes after dinner each night for everyone to settle down with your books. Explore your librarys programs for kids, too. And write, write, write. Summer is a perfect time to develop a regular writing habit. If your child struggles with writing, make it fun. Keep a family journal of everything youve done this summer. Write letters to the grandparents every week. Have your child help you make lists. And if your child is the creative type, encourage him or her to write stories or poems and even submit them to print or online magazines that publish childrens work. Bridge the gap. Consider investing in workbooks specifically designed to bridge learning between grades. There are a wide variety of workbooks available that can be purchased online or at bookstores. Most of the workbooks provide pages of activities for each week of summer, including skill activities in reading, writing, math, language arts, science and geography. Check out camps and classes. Your local rec center, art museum, history museum, nature and science museum, cultural center and zoo are all great places to look for classes, camps or other programs for children on summer break. You could also check out day or overnight educational camps in your area or around the country. The reality is that many students lose some of what they learn each grade during the months they are not in school, Huntington says. But with a small amount of effort, you can help your child stay sharp, retain knowledge and be better prepared for the next grade.

Five Things Your Students Learn from Field Trips

Five Things Your Students Learn from Field Trips If youre all about allowing your students to learn by doing, keep in mind how beneficial field trips can be for them. Designed well, these outside-the-classroom experiences get students engaged and excited and not just to get out of the classroom. Here are five things your students will learn from field trips: How class teachings translate to everyday life: The topics your students read about in textbooks are brought to life when they have the opportunity to see those concepts in action, as they will on certain types of field trips. What kinds of jobs exist: Theres nothing quite like taking students on a field trip to expose them to the many types of careers out there and fields that they could work in one day. Before any field trip, you should take the time to share more about the people who work in those areas and why their jobs are important. How things really work in the real world: It can be hard for some students to fully grasp ideas just by hearing you discuss them. Reading about the railroad is interesting, but going to a museum to see how locomotives work and the behind-the-scenes details of the construction of railway systems puts it all into perspective. The importance of different cultural institutions: Whether you take your students to a historic place or a nature and science museum, this type of exposure to objects, artifacts, history, and other learning opportunities can have a major impact on your students. How they learn best: By their very nature, field trips are different from standard school days. Students get a lot of hands-on learning and absorb information visually, aurally, and kinesthetically. The trips might open students eyes to the learning styles that suit them well. Field trips immerse students in new settings, which can be a lot of fun. Most importantly, they boost students critical thinking skills, stimulate their learning, and help them retain knowledge.

Online Language Tutoring The Groundbreaking Solution to Your Learning Woes

Online Language Tutoring The Groundbreaking Solution to Your Learning Woes So you say I should go out and  find a language tutor, huh?Someone who I can meet up with for valuable face-to-face learning?  Oh, no thank you. Ill stay right where I am, curled up on the couch with a steaming cup of coffee.But then the guilt wells up.Ohhh, how long will it take before Im fluent at this rate? I certainly wont be a bilingual casanova anytime soonThats when it hits me. I  can have it all. I  can  get language lessons and be lazy at the same time.Its time for some mindblowing online language learning. Boot up the computer. Open the web browser. A little searching and then, yes!Online language tutoring. A cure for what ails me. And whatever may afflict you as well. For the world of online language tutoring is both broad and deep, and whatever goals you may be seeking in your language learning, youre likely to reach them there.But this is a new field for many of us. Naturally, we feel skeptical, and a multitude of questions arise whenever were approached with something n ew.Lets have a close look at just what this world of online language tutoring is all about, and see for ourselves that its an invaluable tool worth a small investment of our time. Why Choose Online Language Tutoring?Now the first question that springs to mind is why choose online language tutoring at all? What advantages could it possibly have over the time-tested, one-on-one, in-person language tutoring sessions that have existed since time immemorial?One answer to this question has already been given: Location, location, location. You can meet anywhere you like and, moreover, whenever you like. It has the convenience factor. Not only does this mean that you can have your tutoring sessions while wearing your leopard print sweatpants, it means that youll be able to save some serious time by avoiding commutes back and forth from a physical classroom.If thats not enough, how about saving a good chunk of change?  Online language tutors can be significantly cheaper than in-person tuto rs. Since they also can avoid commutes, are often self-employed and may be living in a country where the cost of living is much lower, online tutors are able to charge significantly less and often make just as good of a living as they would through traditional in-person tutoring.And of course theres perhaps the most important advantage of online tutoring: availability. Whether youre trying to learn an obscure language that has few tutors anywhere or whether youre living in a small town in the rural Midwest with an extreme dearth of foreign language speakers, online language tutoring makes possible that which would otherwise be impossible. Anyone with a decent connection willing to shell out a bit of cash can now fulfill language learning dreams regardless of physical location.How Can I Identify a Good Online Language Tutor?Unfortunately, the Internet is rife with bad deals, if you havent learned that yet from the talking moose in the popup window asking for your credit card number. So obviously were going to need some clear and hard criteria to ensure were getting our moneys worth.FlexibilityFirst off,  your tutor should be willing and capable of tailoring their lessons to your needs and interests.For beginners, this perhaps is not so important. Everyone starts out needing to learn the basics, and your conversation topics will probably be constrained to food, colors, introductions and other fundamental building blocks.But at higher levels, a tutor should be able to properly assess your weak points, as well as focus on any points you wish to improve upon, and continually present fresh lesson topics rather than hashing out 50 lesson plans around ordering in a restaurant when youre already an advanced speaker.InteractionNext on the criteria list is interaction, which is one of the most important criteria because its the thing most often complained about with online language lessons.Good teacher-student interaction and interaction between the student and online me dia leads to greater, higher-order critical inquiry skills.Interaction is all about having tasks that motivate a learner to use their language skills. This could be role-playing a real-life situation with your tutor or posting a video project on YouTube around some specific goal. Whatever gets you to interact with the language in a new way.Resource knowledgeThe third and final criteria is how well the teacher helps you to find new resources. While this may not be hugely important for advanced students, students new to language learning often cant tell which resources would be helpful for learning their target language. This is a fairly easy and straightforward service that any tutor worth their salt should be able to provide.Where Do I Find Tutors?Now that we know what qualities we should be looking for, the question arises as to where exactly these people can be found.Most people will probably find that Verbling satisfies most if not all of their demands. It seems to outstrip any o ther online teaching platform in its popularity, and it may well offer access to the most professional teachers and the most languages of all the online teaching sites.You’ll be able to explore hundreds upon hundreds of online language teachers and find exactly the one who’s right for you. When you search, you’ll get to search based on prices, availability and even the other languages they speakâ€"so if your native language is Chinese or German, you can find a teacher to instruct you in that language. Plus, the technology here makes accessing tutoring sessions extra smooth! You don’t need Skype or another third-party program. It’s all here!WyzAnt is an incredible resource for locating stellar language teachers near you. This site is professional and polished, and it features well-educated and well-qualified tutors in your local area. Follow this link to see whos available close to home.italki is a well-designed website for finding tutors and casual language exchange partne rs, equipped with easy-to-use features such as a calendar converter for figuring out schedules (a huge time-saver for tutors and students separated by time zones).But How Do I Find the Right Tutor for Me?Finally, we reach the most concrete of decisions. Who, when it finally comes down to it, will be the person staring me down from the other side of the screen on a weekly basisand will they be nice to me?Thankfully, most sites offer a rating system for the teachers with a comments section, and some sites,  such as italki, even separate the teachers  with certification from those without so that you can be sure of who has what experience.Remember to look out for the hallmarks of a quality teacher that we talked about above when trawling through those comments and teacher profiles:tailor-made lessonsa high level of interactivitya wealth of knowledge concerning learning resourcesWhile that last one probably isnt talked about too much, the other two at least are probably common sense to most individuals and are likely to be major points of praise or criticism for each teacher.But when it comes down to it, were all individuals and we click with people in different ways. A teacher I might have great respect for could very well bore you to death.Naturally then, its best not to stop at one or even two different tutors. Rather, pick out a handful you like and try each of them out, even if you think you really like the tutor you have your first session with. By having several different teachers, youll be able to see each of their strengths and weaknesses before you whittle down to your final selection.So, How Effective Is Online Tutoring?This is all very wonderful, you say, but is it really worth my time and money? It may be cheap, convenient and adaptable, but am I going to learn anything?The answer to this question is quite simple: yes. But just as with the traditional learning methods, online language tutors are a tool, and your success with them depends on how much e ffort you, as a learner, put in.So go take a look and start breaking ground on your new online tutoring experience.Then youll be lounging inside with a beverage and a comfortable chair, and of course with your new online friend who hopes to have you fluent within a few months.

Bad News For College Students Sugar Is Definitely Bad For You

Bad News For College Students Sugar Is Definitely Bad For You pexels.com According to newly released historical documents, back in the 1960s, it’s suggested that the sugar industry paid scientists to downplay a certain link between sugar and heart disease, placing the blame instead on saturated fat. A researcher from the University of California in San Francisco uncovered these documents from the sugar industry and published them in JAMA Internal Medicine. And what these documents suggest is that over 50 years of research into nutrition and heart disease were shaped, on a large scale, by the sugar industry. So today’s dietary recommendations quite possibly hold no merit. According to Stanton Glantz, professor of medicine at UCSF (and an author of JAMA paper), “They were able to derail the discussion about sugar for decades.” Even worse? The Sugar Research Foundation (or the Sugar Association, as it’s known today), paid three Harvard scientists $50,000 (today’s money) to publish a review on sugar, fat and heart disease that minimized the link between sugar and heart disease and instead cast the blame on saturated fat. In other words, this article was falsified to hide the real harm sugar does to the body. And while this is a seemingly isolated incident back in 1967, this isn’t the only indication that the food industry has been influencing nutrition studies and recommendations. In fact, just last year the New York Times uncovered the fact that Coca-Cola gave millions to researchers to downplay the link between sugary drinks and obesity. And the Associated Press also recently reported that candy companies were funding studies that were showing kids that eat candy weigh less than those who don’t. Of course, now the scientists from Harvard involved in the sugar scandal are no longer alive and neither are the sugar executives responsible for paying them off. And the sugar industry has since responded to the JAMA report that called them out for funding studies that benefited them, but they claimed that the 1967 review came out at a time where the researchers weren’t required to disclose their funding sources. According to the Sugar Association, the industry “should have exercised greater transparency in all of its research activities.” But even in saying that, the association continued to defend the research in saying that it concluded sugar “does not have a unique role in heart disease.” So why is this important? Lying isn’t the worst part, it’s the way it has affected the population that is now a problem. Because of these studies, the general population believed that sugar was less harmful than saturated fats, so people began consuming low-fat, high sugar foods to control their fat intake. What this has done, as sugar is actually the culprit, is fueled a prevalent obesity crisis even further. According to Glantz, “it was a very smart thing the sugar industry did, because review papers, especially if you get them published in a very prominent journal, tend to shape the overall scientific discussion.” So essentially what happened is this research, that was manipulated for the sugar companies, influenced the government’s dietary recommendations, which in turn suggested to consumers that sugar wasn’t nearly as bad as it actually was. Instead of sugar, saturated fat was seen as a major cause of heart disease, and sugar was emphasized as nothing more than empty calories. And while recently saturated fat warnings still exist, the American Heart Associate, the World Health Organization and other health authorities have warned against added sugar in large amounts for cardiovascular risks. According to Marion Nestle, professor of nutrition, food studies and public health at NYU, there is “compelling evidence” that the sugar company funded this research “expressly to exonerate sugar as a major risk factor for coronary heart disease … I think it’s appalling. You just never see examples that are this blatant.” And according to Dr. Walter Willett, the chairman of the nutrition department at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, this is “why research should be supported by public funding rather than depending on industry funding. Given the data that we have today, we have shown the refined carbohydrates and especially sugar-sweetened beverages are risk factors for cardiovascular disease, but that the type of dietary fat is also very important.” Everything is documented through archives at Harvard as well as at the University of Illinois and other libraries. These archives are complete with statements from John Hickson, the top sugar industry executive, in which he says things such as “we can publish the data and refute our detractors” and, upon reading the review, “Let me assure you this is quite what we had in mind, and we look forward to its appearance in print.” Essentially, this looks very bad for the sugar industry. And it’s only a matter of time before the news spreads faster and there are bigger issues at hand. Moral of the story: don’t believe everything you read.